Abstract: In one embodiment, a phacoemulsification system includes a phacoemulsification probe configured to be inserted into an eye, an ophthalmic curette, including a handle, a tube having a proximal end connected to a distal end of the handle, and having a distal tip configured to be inserted into the eye, an irrigation channel extending from the proximal end to the distal tip of the tube, and a pressure sensor disposed at the distal tip of the tube, and configured to be inserted into the eye and provide a signal responsively to intraocular pressure inside the eye, and comprising a sensing surface, and an irrigation-aspiration sub-system coupled with the irrigation channel and configured to convey irrigation fluid along the irrigation channel, and wherein the irrigation channel is shaped, and positioned with respect to the pressure sensor, to direct a flow of the irrigation fluid over the sensing surface of the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification system includes a phacoemulsification probe and a processor. The phacoemulsification probe includes (a) a needle configured for insertion into a lens capsule of an eye, and to be vibrated to emulsify a lens of the eye, (b) an irrigation channel for flowing irrigation fluid into the lens capsule, (c) an aspiration channel for removing material from the lens capsule, (d) a bypass channel fluidly coupled with the irrigation channel and with the aspiration channel, (e) a processor-controlled valve configured to control a level of fluid communication between the irrigation channel and the aspiration channel via the bypass channel, and (f) one or more sensors configured to measure fluid pressure at a distal portion of one or both of the irrigation channel and the aspiration channel. The processor is configured to adaptively adjust the valve based on the fluid pressure measured by the one or more sensors.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ophthalmic curette device includes a handle having a distal end, a tube having a proximal end connected to the distal end of the handle, and having a distal end, and configured to be inserted through a cataract incision into a chamber of an eye of a living subject, and a pressure sensor disposed inside the tube at the distal end of the tube, and configured to provide a signal responsively to pressure inside the chamber of the eye.

Abstract: A tunable vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) is provided. The VCSEL includes a VCSEL emission structure, piezoelectric material, and a piezoelectric electrode. The VCSEL emission structure includes a first reflector; a second reflector; and an active cavity material structure disposed between the first and second reflectors. The active cavity material structure includes an active region. The piezoelectric material is mechanically coupled to the VCSEL emission structure such that when the piezoelectric material experiences a mechanical stress, the mechanical stress is transferred to the active cavity material structure of the VCSEL emission structure. The piezoelectric electrode is designed to cause an electric field within the piezoelectric material.

Abstract: An optical device includes a first waveguide having a longitudinal axis and a first end facet inclined at a non-normal angle to the longitudinal axis, and a second waveguide, which has a second end facet and is fixed with the second end facet in proximity to and parallel with the first end facet. An actuator is coupled to move the first end facet of the first waveguide in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis between a first position in which a distance between the first and second end facets is less than 25 nm, and a second position in which the distance between the first and second end facets is greater than 300 nm.

Abstract: A waveguide having a gradient-index (GRIN) waveguide lateral coupler is provided. In an example embodiment, the waveguide comprises an active region. The refractive index profile of the active region is non-constant.

Abstract: An optical device includes a first waveguide having a longitudinal axis and a first end facet inclined at a non-normal angle to the longitudinal axis, and a second waveguide, which has a second end facet and is fixed with the second end facet in proximity to and parallel with the first end facet. An actuator is coupled to move the first end facet of the first waveguide in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis between a first position in which a distance between the first and second end facets is less than 25 nm, and a second position in which the distance between the first and second end facets is greater than 300 nm.

Abstract: A waveguide having a gradient-index (GRIN) waveguide lateral coupler is provided. In an example embodiment, the waveguide comprises an active region. The refractive index profile of the active region is non-constant.

Abstract: A container cover assembly that has at least two states. In the first, closed state, the removal of the contents of the container through the opening of the container is prevented. In the second, open state, the removal of the contents of the container through the opening of the container is possible. The cover assembly comprises a mechanism for preventing the transfer of the cover assembly from the first state to the second state, unless at least a predetermined number of shaking motions is applied to the container and cover assembly.

Abstract: A container cover assembly that has at least two states. In the first, closed state, the removal of the contents of the container through the opening of the container is prevented. In the second, open state, the removal of the contents of said container through the opening of the container is possible. The cover assembly comprises a mechanism for preventing the transfer of the cover assembly from the first state to the second state, unless at least a predetermined number of shaking motions is applied to the container and cover assembly.